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Sunday, March 16, 2014

Warning: The Dark Side

Danger- you are entering the dark side of training. We all encounter rough spots in training periodically and it apparently was my turn today. I have had a super busy week and felt really tired and "off" yesterday either from actually being tired or maybe fighting off a virus. I actually had a meeting out of town and made the decision to take the day off of training. I thought this might be enough to get me out of the red. I guess I was wrong. The busyness of the week led me to a very tough long ride this morning.

I hit the sheets last night before 9, knowing I was tired and getting emotionally about nothing so thought I would be doing myself (and my family) a favour if I went to bed. Hoped that a good night sleep would fix the energy and mood and Sat. would dawn in good spirits. A bathroom break disrupted the sleep at 4:30 a:m and roaring runner figured he would get on his bike early as sleep would elude him now. I laid in bed convincing myself that I would fall back asleep and starting a ride this early was beyond crazy. Only lasted about 1/2 hour and I was filling my bottles and pumping my tire.

The first 20 miles I pretty much blew my nose and wiped tears from my cheeks the whole time. What is wrong with me? I have no idea. I was so overwhelmed it almost seemed to take my breath away. This ever happen to anyone else? I just knew there was no way I was getting in 60 miles today and the distance kept shaking me mentally. Anyone who does long trainer rides knows they are like long treadmill runs; a real challenge mentally. Though I had podcasts to listen to and tv to watch, after awhile, nothing interests you. And since this feeling hit me quite quickly into the ride, I knew there may be no end to the trouble.

I spilled the beans to roaring runner about being in the cave of pain and he kept encouraging me and telling me I could do it. I am so thankful for his spirit! Rarely does he ever get overwhelmed and discouraged by challenges. It just makes him work harder and dig deeper. I spent the next 20 miles only looking at "now" and constantly repeating "just one more mile."

By the final 20 miles, I had resigned myself to the fact that I needed to finish this and could see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.

A short 2 mile transition run was needed after the ride and getting off my butt felt so good, the 2 miles flew by.

And. I. Was. Done!!

Exhausted, thankful that I had survived this journey in the dark side. I just laid on the floor for a couple minute to count my blessings. The next time the dark, cave of pain comes around, I will have ammunition; an experience that I survived that will encourage me and keep me going when I have mentally checked out.

Roaring runner said to me "the difference between tri and triumph is an little umph." Just need to remember that tomorrow during my long run!